What if we judged rugby franchises not on loyalty or legacy—but on cold, hard business fundamentals?

In this episode of the Lekker Rugby Pod, Harry and MW treat the Bulls and Stormers like corporate assets under review. No romanticism. No emotion. Just a forensic audit of performance, structure, value, and long-term sustainability.They apply a due diligence framework—the kind you'd use before buying a company—to two of South Africa’s biggest rugby brands. What’s the return on investment for each franchise? Who’s extracting full value from their player pool? And how well are leadership, coaching and culture aligned with performance goals?

The Stormers, despite boasting a talented squad and solid private backing from Red Disa, look disjointed—especially up front and in defence. Harry and MW question whether the root problem lies in John Dobson’s leadership or a dysfunctional coaching structure, and whether the systems around him are designed to sustain excellence or simply coast on momentum from previous seasons.

The Bulls, by contrast, reached another final—but did they max out their potential, or expose cracks in Jake White’s tactical planning and assistant coaching setup? The conversation tackles Jake’s all-powerful role at the franchise, and whether the Bulls would benefit from a neutral “rugby consigliere” to challenge ideas and expand their long-term vision.Harry proposes a simple but powerful shift: stop thinking like coaches and start thinking like owners. Look at squad depth, injury risk, player happiness, system resilience, leadership development, and tactical flexibility—not just match outcomes.

It’s rugby analysis reimagined through the lens of private equity, high-performance culture, and strategic planning. No sacred cows. No excuses. Just a blunt question: if these teams were on the market… would you invest?

In this Lekker Rugby Pod Instant Reaction, MW Welman and Harry Jones dive into the Bulls’ URC Final defeat to a superb Leinster outfit. From the 19-0 first-half blitz to Jacques Nienaber’s tactical fingerprints, they break down how the Bulls were outplayed in key areas — the breakdown, the red zone, and the bench impact.The Bulls had their chances but lacked belief, precision, and attacking clarity when it mattered most. Still, credit must go to Leinster, who delivered their best performance of the season when it counted — ruthless, disciplined, and brilliantly coached.It’s a raw and honest debrief — part therapy, part analysis — as the boys reflect on what went wrong for the Bulls and why Leinster have (deservedly) reclaimed their spot at the top of the URC pile.

The stage is set: Croke Park, Dublin, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. The Bulls, brimming with momentum and belief, face off against Irish powerhouse Leinster in the 2025 United Rugby Championship Final. In this episode of the Lekker Rugby Pod, MW and Harry dive headfirst into what could become one of the most memorable URC clashes of the modern era.But how exactly do the Bulls win this? Harry has a plan.With Jake White preparing his side for what might be his final great performance as a coach, and Jacques Nienaber adding fresh physical edge to Leinster’s blueprint, this final is more than just a rugby match — it’s a collision of coaching philosophies, national rugby cultures, and strategic identities.Harry unpacks the contrasting DNA of the two sides: the Bulls’ confidence in their structure and power game, versus a Leinster team that, for all its talent, may still be wrestling with its identity. We explore how the Bulls can disrupt Leinster’s midfield ruck resets, exploit their hesitation in transition, and target the "kill zone" like they did with Andre Esterhuizen.We also dive into Jake White’s mindset heading into this clash. Often combative in the media but laser-focused behind closed doors, Jake has been here before — in World Cup finals, Super Rugby titles, and now, possibly, his last shot at glory in the URC. What will his legacy be if the Bulls win this in Ireland?MW and Harry debate the impact of referee Andrea Piardi, how penalty pressure could shape the match, and why Leinster’s usual cool might get tested under the weight of expectation at home. There's tactical gold throughout — from man-marking Josh van der Flier, to Harry’s cheeky take on how to rattle Sam Prendergast, to how weather, substitutions, and even the psychology of being the underdog all come into play.And of course, Harry closes with his boldest call yet: Bulls by 5. It’s a prediction based on analysis, not just hope.If you're passionate about South African rugby, coaching tactics, or just love hearing two people break the game down beyond the surface, this is the episode for you!

A proper nailbiter at a packed Loftus! The Bulls showed serious composure to hold off a determined Sharks side in a dramatic URC semi-final clash. MW Welman was at the stadium and caught up with Harry Jones for this Instant(ish) Reaction on The Lekker Rugby Pod, only on Megafoon Rugby – for the thinking rugby fan!We unpack:* The Bulls’ poise under pressure* The Sharks’ missed chances at key moments* What galvanised Jake White’s gritty squad* How this semi-final affects the Harry Index, with the power teams across the leagues now rising at the right time!If you're a Bulls or Sharks supporter — or just love smart, passionate rugby chat — this episode is for you.

Harry’s got a plan—and it just might be the key to the Bulls taking down the Sharks in the URC semi-final and going all the way.In this episode, MW and Harry unpack a detailed tactical breakdown of how the Bulls can flip the script. After diving deep into previous matchups, Harry reveals why the Bulls lost to the Sharks before, what went wrong in their kick chase, and how a smarter, more balanced approach can finally crack the code.From personnel choices to psychological preparation, nothing is left untouched. They debate the Goosen vs Johannes decision, discuss the importance of composure under pressure, and explore how Jake White’s evolved leadership style could shape the Bulls’ big-match temperament.Harry believes the Bulls are built to win—if they execute his plan. With Loftus packed and the stakes sky-high, this is the match that could define their season. If you're a Bulls fan, a Sharks skeptic, or just obsessed with playoff rugby, this is essential viewing.

Did Jaden go too far… or was it just classic knockout rugby?The Sharks edged Munster in an absolutely wild URC quarterfinal, but it wasn’t just about the rugby—it was about the drama. From Jaden Hendrikse's antics to penalty shootouts, and a whole lot of chaos, this one had everything except great rugby.On this Lekker Rugby Pod Instant Reaction, Harry Jones and MW Welman unpack:✅ Jaden Hendrikse—clever, cynical, or both?✅ Sharks trying their best to blow it✅ Iceman Bradley Davids and the clutch kick✅ What this war of attrition means for their Bulls semifinalUgly, chaotic, unforgettable—and now Jaden’s at the centre of the talking points!

After a nervy first half, the Bulls found their spark and stormed past Edinburgh in the second URC quarterfinal at Loftus Versfeld—and the Lekker Rugby Pod crew is here with your instant reaction!MW Welman was on the ground at Loftus, soaking in the atmosphere, the altitude, and the second-half surge. Alongside Harry Jones, he breaks down what went wrong in the first 40, what Jake White must have said at halftime, and how the Bulls' power game finally crushed a feisty Edinburgh outfit.Expect classic Lekker Rugby analysis: sharp, snarky, and straight to the ruck.📍 Loftus was rocking. The Bulls are marching. And Jake White is smiling.

Harry Jones gives his immediate and unfiltered reaction after watching the Stormers bow out of the URC playoffs with a whimper in Glasgow. Against the defending champions, the men from Cape Town simply didn’t pitch up—and Harry isn’t sugarcoating it.The Warriors were clinical, composed, and physical. The Stormers? Lacking bite, energy, and that signature South African grit.Join Harry, a loyal Stormers supporter, as he vents, analyses the no-show, and—yes—half-jokes about backing the Bulls going forward.⚠️ Warning: contains rugby heartbreak, mild despair, and a few laughs.